Saudi Bulks Up Defenses

Pending congressional approval,Saudi Arabia may purchase up to 90 billion dollars of U.S. military hardware over a period of years,including F-15 fighter jets,attack helicopters and advanced patrol boats.The big effort is in response to an increasingly formidable Iranian military,as well as instability in neighboring Yemen and Somalia.Iran has been improving the range and accuracy of its ballistic missiles,as well as building up its navy,among other projects.Other Persian Gulf states,such as Kuwait,the United Arab Emirates and Oman are also angling for U.S. equipment.
Israel will buy about 20 of the new F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft,versions of which are currently being produced for,and tested by,the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.The Israeli government has accepted that Persian Gulf states are arming themselves in light of the Iranian and Islamic militant threats,although Israel is unenthused by the prospect.